The object of this work is to exhibit St. Louis as it is, presenting to both citizens and strangers a Guide to the CHIEF CITY OF THE FAR WEST, executed in the best style, and to be purchased at a trifling cost. Besides a full and complete of St. Louis, these pages will be found to contain a faithful historical sketch of the city, an Almanac for 1846, adapted to this meridian, a spacious memorandum for every day in the year, an accurate Table of Distances on the principal Western Travelling Routes, the new Constitution of our State to be submitted to the people at the next election, and a variety of valuable statistical matter. The compiler would here acknowledge his indebtedness to McCullough's Gazetteer, Nichollet's Report, &c., for many of the facts contained in this volume.

It is the intention of the Publisher to issue the "WESTERN METROPOLIS" annually, and by carefully recording all changes and improvements in St. Louis, from year to year, to render the work in every respect, deserving of patronage.

To the kind regards of the citizens of St. Louis, as well as to the friendly consideration of all strangers who may visit the Western Metropolis, this little volume is now most respectfully submitted by

THE EDITOR.

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1846, by
WILLIAM D. SKILLMAN,
In the Clerk's Office of the District Court for the District of Missouri.